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C. E. CHRISTOPHER.

` STEAM ENGINE.

No. 498,895. Patented June 6, 1893.

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C. F. CHRISTOPHER.

, STEAM ENGINE. No. 498,89 5. Patented June 6, 1893.

CalyMa/www IINTTB STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CALVIN F. CHRISTOPHER, OF SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR, BYDIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE CHRISTOPHER ROTARY CIRCULAR STEAMCYLINDER COMPANY.

STEAM-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,895, dated J' une6,1893.

Application filed September 28, 1892. Serial No. 447,094. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN F. CHRISTO- PHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Spartanburg, in the county of Spartanburg and Stateof South Carolina, have invented a new and useful Steam-Engine, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to steamr engines; and it has for its object toprovide an improve- 1o ment in engines of that type known as rotaryengines, wherein the piston travels in a circle around the shaft towhich the same is directly secured.

To thisend the invention primarily contemplates certain improvements inmachines of this character whereby the power of the steam is utilized toits fullest extent, and to provide new and efficient means for actuatingthe valves and the cylinder heads or gates, 2o to secure the proper feedof the steam to and from the cylinder.

With these and other objects in view which fairly fall within the scopeof this invention, the same consists in the novel construction, z 5combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described,illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsz-Figure l is a front elevation of an engineconstructed 3o in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a Verticallongitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal transversesectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 ofFig. l. Fig. 5 is a detail rear elevation partly in section of the rearend of the casing, the steam chest cap-plate being removed. g

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A represents a sectional casingcomprising 4o the opposite halves or sections a, which are suitablybolted together to form the complete casing or cylinder of the engine,and each of the sections is provided upon its inner face with thecircular groove B, which when aligned with the opposing groove of theother section completes an inclosed steam cylinder or channel C, trulycircular in cross section and perimeter, and accommodating the roundedor circular piston plug D, snugly register- 5o ing with said channelorcircular cylinder and provided with a fiat integral extended arm d,seated in a registering notch d', formed in the shaft disk E, thusproviding a rigid though removable connection of the piston plug to theshaft disk, which disk works between the inner fiat faces of the coreportions e, formed by the channeling out of the circular steam groove orchannel. The shaft disk E, is either integrally or fixedly mounted onthe drive shaft e', extending transversely through bear- 6o ingperforations in the casing and having secured to one or both endsthereof, cranks, band wheels, &c to communicate motion directly to anymachinery desired, without the employment of intermediate gearing.

In order to provide for a perfectly tight steam joint between themeeting faces of the opposite sections a, I form in such faces thepacking grooves F, which receive suitable packing f, and to providesuitable packing 7o on the opposite wear faces of the central shaft diskE, the inner dat faces of the core portions e, are provided with thepacking grooves f', which grooves receive in the bottom thereof movableadjusting rin gs f2, and suitable packing f3, placed in the grooves uponsaid rings, and adapted to be adjusted as tightly as desired, or as maybe necessary, against the opposite faces of said central disk, by meansof the adjusting screws f4, working through oppo- 8o site sides of thecasing and` having their inner ends bearing against the movable packingadjustable rings before referred to. This latter arrangement foradjusting the packing may be duplicated for the packing just describedbetween the meeting faces of the casing sections.

At one side of the casing and formed in the outer face of one of thesections thereof, is a 'circular groove steam chest G, which is in- 9oclosed by the side cap or plate g, and which receives live steam fromthe boiler through the steam inlet g', entering the top of one of saidcasing sections and opening into the top of the circular steam chest. Byconstructing the steam chest in the manner just described, the steamfills a circular space, which allows for the introduction of the same atthe proper moment into the cylinder or channel C, so that the impact ofthe same may be reroo ceived by the piston plug traveling within saidcylinder or channel.

The circular steam chest G, is pierced at opposite sides thereof withthe opposite holes or bearing openings g2, which openings are alignedwith corresponding openings or continuations thereof, in the oppositecasing section, and said bearing openings, which thus extendtransversely through opposite halves of the casing, receive theoscillating live steam and exhaust cut-off plugs H and H, respectively.The live steam cut-off plugs, H, are arranged alternately with respectto each other, so that each opposite pair, or more properly, each upperand lower pair of plugs above and below the division abutments of thecylinder to be described, comprise a live steam and an exhaust plug.Thelive steam plugs H, are provided with longitudinal steam passages h,which open at one end into the circular steam chest G, from which saidplugs receive their steam, and the other ends of said longitudinal steampassages communicate with the central steam openings h', which areadapted to be thrown in and out of alignment with the inlet ports h2,opening into the circular steam cylinder or channel. The exhaust cut-offplugs H', do not open into the circular steam chest G, but are providedwith the central transverse exhaust openings I, which are adapted to bethrown in and out of alignment, as the plug oscillates, with the exhaustports t', leading from the steam cylinder or channel outside of thecasing. The valves herein described are adapted to be alternatelycontrolled at the proper time so that the piston plug D, receives afresh impact of steam at every half revolution thereof, or at the momentsaid plug passes each inlet port of the cylinder, while the spent steam,after every half revolution, is exhausted through the farthest exhaustport and plug.

The casing A, is provided in opposite ends thereof with the oppositeguide grooves J, which extend from a point near `the extreme oppositeends, into the central core portions e, and are adapted to receive thesliding gates or heads K. The said gates or heads K, are adapted toseparate the steam cylinder or channel into two horizontal halves, ineach of which the piston plug receives a fresh impact of steam, Whilethe sliding gate or head l nearest the open inlet port, forms theabutment or head for the cylinder or channel, and is therefore closedacross the cylinder or channel, while the other sliding gate or head isat- 01 rods L, working through the end stuiiing boxes Z, arranged atopposite ends of the cylinder casing. The said rods or stems L, areprovided at the outer ends with the right angularly disposed portionsl', which are loosely connected to the sliding operating bars M. Thesaid sliding operating bars M, reciprocate within the grooved guideblocks m, secured to the front of the cylinder casing, and are providedat their inner ends adjacent to the drive shaft of the ergine with thecontact rollers m', which are adapted to be engaged at every revolutionof the shaft e', by the cam plateN,tixedlysecuredtosaidshaft. Thesaidcam plate N, is so constructed that as the shaft revolves under theleverage of the piston plug through one half of the steam cylinder orchannel, the same is in Contact with the contact roller at the inner endof the operating bar, controlling the sliding gate or head toward whichthe piston plug is traveling and is'therefore opening such gate or head,as already referred to. At the moment the `cam plate leaves the contactroller just noted,the gate or head by which the same is controlled isinstantly withdrawn to its closed position to intersect the steamcylinder or channel by means of the retractile spring O. The springs Oare suitably connected at one end to the steam chest side of the casing, and at the other ends to the extended arms o, which are connected tothe outer ends of the sliding operating bars controlled by the cam justdescribed. The sliding or reciprocating operating bars M, are furtherprovided at a point adjacent to the inner contact rollers thereof withthe projecting screws or pins P, which receive the slotted ends of thevalve or plug arm p, the other ends of which are Iixedly secured to theouter projecting ends of the opposite alternate exhaust plugsfor valvesH. As the operating bars M, are slid out by the cam plate N, the samecarry the swinging ends of the valve or plug armsp, and thereby causethe exhaust plugs or valves to be turned one quarter of a revolution, soas to close the exhaust port adjacent to the opening gate or head, aswill be readily understood. At the moment the springs O, have closedeither one of the gates or heads behind the piston plug which has justpassed the same, it is necessary to provide means for instantly openingthe live steam plug or valve adjacent to the gate or head just closed,and in order to provide for this, I extend the outer ends of the livesteam plugs or valves similar to the outer extensions of the exhaustplugs or valves and place on such extended ends the opening springs Q,which normally hold the said live steam plugs or valves in such positionas to provide a direct communication from the steam chest to thecylinder or channel. Fixedly secured to the extreme outer end of the IOOIIO

said live steam plugs or valves are the closing arms or cranks R, whichhave one end thereof lie in the path of the hanged cam plate S. The saidflanged cam plate S, is fixedly secured to the shaft c', alongside ofthe cam plate N, and is constructed on less than a half circle, so as toclose and open the steam valves at the proper' moment. As the shaft e',revolves, the flanged cam S, raises or lowers the arms R, according tothe position thereof, and in either event as the cam plate N, begins toopen one of the gates or heads, at that moment the flanged cam closesthe adjacent live steam plug or valve, while the opposite alternate livesteam plug or valve is open and admitting steam. After the piston plughas passed the open gate or head, just as the spring closes the opengate or head, the cam has left the arm ot the open live steam valve andtherefore allows the spring of this valve to open the same to direct thesteam against the piston plug which at that moment is abreast of thevalve.

From the foregoing description,it is thought that the construction,operation and many advantages of the herein described `steam engine willbe apparent to those skilled in the art, but a short outline of theoperation may be here added. The springs O, normallykeep the gates orheads closed. As the drive shaft revolves under the impact of steamadmitted through the live steam plug or valve which is open, the cams onvthe shaft are opening the gate or head toward which the piston istraveling, and close the live steam plug or valve nearest such gate orhead, while at the same time closing the adjacent exhaust. The momentthe piston plug has passed the open gate or head, the same closes toform a new abutment for the steam and therefore opens the adjacentexhaust, while the adjacent live steam plug or valve is left free toopen and directs a fresh impact of steam against the piston plug. Theposition of the two cams is now changing, and therefore causes theopposite gate or head to commence to open, the adjacent exhaust to closeand also the adjacent live steam plug or valve.

This operation continues sucoessivelythrough each half revolution of thepiston, so that during one com plete revolution thereof, the same hasreceived two impacts of steam, thereby causing the steam to be fullyutilized, to maintain a continued even leverage on the drive shaft torevolve the same. At this point :it may be further observed that at eachend of the sectional casing are arranged adjustable flexible buffers orcushions, T, which are arranged in the path of the outer angle ends ofthe gate stems or rods, in order to receive theinward blow thereof andprevent the rattling and wear of the parts, and it may also be observed,that the retractile springs O, are connected at one end to adjustingscrews U, which provide means for regulating the tension thereof toprovide for 4the rapid closing 0f the gates or heads. l i

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent isl. In a steam engine, the casing having an live steam andexhaust ports, and a circular steam chest at one side thereof, the driveshaft,a piston connected directly to said shaft and traveling in thecylinder or channel, and.

`the live steam and exhaust plugs or valves,

`inder having an integral steam chest at one side, the piston moving inthe cylinder, the

hollow live steam plugs or valves opening at one end into the side steamchest and the interior of the cylinder, and the exhaust plugs` orvalves, substantially as set forth.

3. In a steam engine, the casing having an inclosed circular steamcylinder or channel, live steam and exhaust ports opening into thechannel, and au integral circular steam chest groove at one side, hollowlive steam plugs or valves communicating with the side steam chestI andthe live steam ports of the cylinder, alternately arranged exhaust plugsor valves communicating with the exhaust ports, sliding gates or headsintersecting the steamcylinder or channel between the opposite pairs ot'valves, the shaft, the piston moving in the cylinder or channel, andmeans for simultaneously controlling each gate or head and the valvesadjacent thereto, substantially as set forth.

` 4. In a steam engine, the combination of the casing having a circularsteam cylinder or channel, and opposite guide grooves leading from theopposite ends of the casing and intersecting the steam cylinder orchannel, the drivelshaft having a central disk, the pis-` ton plugconnected to said disk, the sliding gates or heads moving in saidopposite grooves and having end notches taking over the edge of theshaft disk, operating rods or stems swiveled at their inner ends at lato said gates or heads, live steam and exhaust valves arranged adjacentto each gate or head, connecting devices between the outer ends of saidrods or stems and the exhaust valves, and means for simultaneouslycontrolling each live steam valve with the exhaust valve nearest thesame, substantially as set forth.

5. In a steam engine, the cylinder casing, the drive shaft, the pistonmoving in the casing and connected to said shaft, the opposite slidinggates or heads having stems or rods working through opposite ends of thecasing, sliding operating bars moving upon one side of the casing andconnected at theirouter ends to said rods or stems, retractile springsnormally closing the gates or heads and connecting said bars, theoscillating exhaust plugs or valves arranged adjacent to each gate orhead and connect-ed with the sliding bars, the cam plate mounted on thedrive shaft and `inclosed circular steam cylinder or channel, i

IOC

` cylinder-intersecting sliding gates or heads having cushioned stems orrods Working through opposite ends of the casing, grooved guide blockssecured to one side of the casing, sliding bars moving in said blocksand connected at their outer ends to said rods or stems and provided attheir inner ends with contact rollers and adjacent projecting pins,retractile springs connected to the outer end of said bars, theoscillating exhaust plugs arranged adjacent to each gate or head andhaving at their outer ends slotted arms taking over said projectingpins, live steam valves arranged in a line with the exhaust valve neareach gate and having at their outer ends operating arms, springs mountedon the extended ends of the live steam valves and normally opening thesame, and adjacent cams mounted xedly on-the drive shaft and adapted toalternately engage said contact rollers and the live steam valve armsrespectively, substan tially as set forth.

7. In a steam engine, the combination With.l

haust valves arranged .adjacent to each gate.

or head, and having outer extended ends, sliding operating bars movingoutside the casing and connected at their outer ends to the slidinggates or heads and provided at their inner ends with contact rollers andadjacent pins, slotted operating arms connected to the oppositealternate exhaust valves and engaging said pins, springs arranged on theextended ends of the live steam valves to normally open the same,closing arms secured to the extended ends of the live steam valve, a camplate mounted on said shaft and engaging the contact rollers of saidsliding bars, and an adjacent flanged cam plate secured to the shaft andadapted to have the flange thereof engage the closing arms of the livesteam valves, substantially as set forth.

